An East Texas man is preparing to push his physical and spiritual limits this weekend, running 100 miles across Tyler in what he calls an act of worship.
Joey Brewer plans to begin his “All Glory to God 100 Miler” at midnight Saturday, inviting the community to join him along the route — not just to run, but to pray, worship and reflect.
“I never thought in my life I would ever run more than a few miles,” Brewer said.
Brewer originally planned to complete a 100-mile race before turning 30, but postponed those plans when his wife became pregnant.
“She had a miscarriage the week of Thanksgiving, and after that, I decided I still wanted to do 100 miles,” Brewer said. “But why not do it here in Tyler, bring the community in and make it something everyone can be a part of?”
The run will follow a loop through Tyler, starting at Brewer’s home and passing through downtown, South Broadway and the Legacy Trails. He plans to complete the route over a 24-hour period.
While the distance presents a major physical challenge, Brewer said the mental and spiritual aspects will be even greater.
Ultra-distance running tests endurance in ways traditional races do not, he said, often becoming a battle of focus, fatigue and self-doubt.
“There’s a huge strain on your mind,” Brewer said. “You’re tired, you’re exhausted, you’re hungry — but that’s where faith comes in.”
Throughout the run, Brewer plans to pray for others, including dozens of people who have already reached out with prayer requests.
He said the response from the community has been overwhelming.
“I was just hoping a few people might show up,” Brewer said. “But I’ve had more than 70 people reach out — people I don’t even know — asking how they can be part of it.”
For Brewer, each mile represents more than progress on the course — it’s a step closer to something greater.
“Everything before now seemed impossible,” he said. “And then you do it, and you just strive for a little bit more. I think it would be a dishonor to God not to see what my body can do.”